ASPIS Open Symposium 2026

The ASPIS Open Symposium (OS) is an annual meeting of the members of the ASPIS cluster and the wider scientific community, focusing on advancing the safety assessment of chemicals without the use of animal testing. The 6th annual ASPIS OS will take place in Maastricht, The Netherlands, on 2–3 July 2026, as a satellite meeting to the ESTIV Congress.

The meeting will be entirely in-person.

Agenda

The symposium will present the latest work of the ASPIS cluster formed by the three Horizon 2020 consortia: ONTOX, PrecisionTox, and RISK-HUNT3R, focusing on the implementation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for chemical risk assessment.

Registration

The registration for the ASPIS Open Symposium 2026 is open on a first come, first served basis until the maximum of 150 participants is reached or until 15 June 2026.

Call for posters & flash presentations

All ASPIS cluster members will have the opportunity to present their research through posters and flash presentations, aiming to engage the attendees in lively and informative discussions. We particularly encourage young researchers and ASPIS Academy members to display their work.

One poster session will be held on each day of the symposium. The scientific flash presentation session will take place in the evening of the first day to give the opportunity to young researchers to pitch their poster during a 5-minute presentation.

Posters should focus on any of the following:

1. Research carried out at ONTOX, PrecisionTox, or RISK-HUNT3R partner institutions directly contributing to ASPIS;
2. Research carried out within the cross-project collaborative ASPIS Task Forces (former Working Groups).

A maximum of 40 posters and 6 flash presentations (2 per consortium) will be presented during the ASPIS OS 2026. Abstracts will be accepted on a first come, first served basis or until 15 June 2026.

Awards will be granted to the best posters.

If you are interested in presenting a poster or a flash presentation, do not forget to indicate it during registration. You will receive a separate abstract submission form later. 

Please note that only members of the ASPIS cluster (ONTOX, PrecisionTox, and RISK-HUNT3R consortia) are eligible to present a poster.

Post-Symposium ASPIS Academy Workshop on the Good In Vitro Laboratory Practice (GIVIMP)

The ASPIS Academy workshop on the Good In Vitro Method Practice (GIVIMP) will provide a comprehensive overview of quality principles that underpin the reliability, reproducibility, and regulatory acceptance of new approach methodologies (NAMs).

Date: 3 July 2026
Time: 14:00–16:00 (after the ASPIS Open Symposium)

Registration for this event is via the registration module of the ASPIS Open Symposium 2026 – the event is open to all on a first-come, first-served basis until the maximum of 150 participants is reached or until 15 June 2026. Registered participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

Information for Attendees

ASPIS OS 2026 will take place at the Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre (MECC).

Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre (MECC)

Forum 100
6229 GV Maastricht
The Netherlands
www.mecc.nl

The MECC offers extensive and flexible spaces suitable for conferences, trade fairs, cultural events, and exhibitions. With 30,000 m² of event halls, 28 meeting rooms, and 2 auditoriums, MECC Maastricht provides the facilities required for high‑level international congresses. The centre combines modern infrastructure with the intimate, people‑focused hospitality characteristic of Maastricht.

Maastricht is located in the southeast of the Netherlands close to Belgium and Germany. It is one of the country’s oldest cities, offering historic architecture, international culture and convenient access by air, rail, road, and public transport.

Below you will find an expanded, detailed travel guide, supplemented with factual information from SETAC’s travel page.

Arriving by Air

Maastricht has its own airport: Maastricht-Aachen Airport. In addition, there are several (inter)national airports within an hour’s drive from the center of Maastricht. This ensures that Maastricht and the region is easily accessible from all over the world.

Getting from Maastricht Airport to MECC

• Taxi

Travel time is approximately 15–20 minutes to the MECC Maastricht.

Taxis are readily available throughout the city, including at Maastricht Central Station and all major hotels. Travel times may vary depending on traffic conditions, especially during busy conference periods. Taxis provide direct drop-off at the MECC entrance, offering a convenient and comfortable option for visitors.

Uber is also available in Maastricht and functions similarly to traditional taxis. Rides can be booked through the Uber app, and pricing is displayed in advance. Depending on your location and the time of day, Uber may offer shorter waiting times or more cost-effective rates compared to standard taxi services.

• BUS

1. Bus to Maastricht Central Station
   From various points in the city—such as the historic center, Wyck district, or major hotels—you can take a local bus to Maastricht Central Station (Maastricht CS). Several bus lines stop here, and buses generally run frequently throughout the day.
2. Train from Maastricht CS to Maastricht‑Randwyck Station
   At Maastricht CS, transfer to a local train heading toward Maastricht‑Randwyck.

The train ride is approximately 3–4 minutes.
Trains run regularly, typically every few minutes during peak times.

3. Short Walk to MECC
   After arriving at Maastricht‑Randwyck Station, it’s a 250‑meter walk to the MECC.
   The route is well signposted, and the conference center is directly adjacent to the station—ideal for visitors with luggage or tight schedules.

Preferred ASPIS OS 2026 Airports

• Brussels Zaventem Airport
• Düsseldorf Airport

Other airports with good access

• Eindhoven Airport
• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
• Brussels Charleroi Airport
• Cologne-Bonn Airport
• Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Arriving by Train

Maastricht Central Station is the city’s main transport hub, offering seamless connections for visitors arriving by train, bus, taxi, or bicycle. From the station, it’s about a 15‑minute walk to the historic city center, making it an ideal starting point for exploring Maastricht.
The station provides frequent local and regional train services, including regular connections to Maastricht‑Randwyck, the station closest to MECC Maastricht.

Direct & semi-direct routes from major cities

• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport → Maastricht
  Direct trains every 30 min, travel time 2.5–3 h.
• Brussels Zaventem Airport → Maastricht
  Via Leuven or Liège; total travel time 1.5–2 h.
• Paris Charles de Gaulle → Maastricht
  High‑speed Thalys/Eurostar to Liège, then 30 min to Maastricht; total 3–3.5 h.
• Cologne/Bonn Airport → Maastricht
  Via Aachen; about 2 h.
• London Heathrow → Maastricht
  Eurostar to Brussels or Amsterdam, then train to Maastricht; 5–6 h.

Railway Stations in Maastricht

Maastricht Central Station

Main station with trains, buses, taxis; 15‑minute walk to the city center. Local trains connect to Randwyck.

Getting from Maastricht Central Station to MECC

• Train

The quickest way to reach MECC from Maastricht Central.

1 stop to Maastricht‑Randwyck
Journey time: 3–4 minutes
Upon arrival, MECC is just a 250‑meter walk
Trains run frequently throughout the day, making this a fast and reliable option for conference delegates.

Maastricht‑Randwyck Station

Only 250 metres from MECC — perfect for ASPIS OS delegates. Walking time: 3 minutes.

NS APP

• Bus

Several local bus lines depart from Maastricht Central Station and stop near the MECC:

• Buses run every few minutes during the day.
• Get off at Forum MECC or Randwyck Station depending on the line. This option offers a convenient alternative when train schedules do not align.

Arriva App

• Taxi

A taxi ride from Maastricht Central Station to MECC takes approximately 8–10 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxis are available directly outside the station and offer door‑to‑door service.

• Walk

For those who prefer to walk, the route from Maastricht Central to MECC takes about 30–35 minutes. The path is straightforward and passes through the Randwyck district.

• Bike

Cycling is a popular way to get around Maastricht. The journey from Maastricht Central Station to MECC takes roughly 10 minutes by bike, with dedicated cycling lanes along most of the route. Bicycle rentals are available at the station.

Contact

For any questions about the event, contact Dr. Julia D. Zajac (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, ONTOX Project Manager) at Julia.Dominika.Zajac@vub.be.